Box Score GLASSBORO, NJ – The Stockton University softball team won 4-2 over Rowan University in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday. 

Rowan (28-10-1) plays William Paterson University (23-14) in the second round on Friday at 2 p.m. and Stockton (24-15) faces Ramapo College (24-11) at 6 p.m.  In the other first round games, the top seed The College of New Jersey defeated the sixth seed William Paterson, 6-1. The third seed Ramapo edged the fourth seed Kean University, 5-4.  
 
Montclair State University will host the remainder of the double elimination tournament on Friday-Sunday, May 4-6.  Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students, senior citizens and children.  The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
 
The Ospreys scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning for the victory.  Pinch hitter Megan Katzmar (so. Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross) knocked in two runs with a single to left center.  Right fielder Ashley Lobell (so. Cedar Knolls, NJ/Whippany Park) and second baseman Morgan DiVello (jr. Atco, NJ/Hammonton) both scored.  Center fielder Meg Murzello (so. Maple Shade, NJ/Holy Cross) produced a single and shortstop Liani Ortiz (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) crossed the plate.
 
Victoria Torp (sr. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) was the winning pitcher in relief.  She (4-5) threw 2.1 innings and only allowed one hit. Right-hander Jesse DeDomenico (so. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) took the loss (15-6).
 
First baseman Alexandra Cosenzo (so. East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) and Murzello each ended the game with two hits. Left fielder Chelsea Thomas (sr. Barrington, NJ/Haddon Heights) recorded a triple and scored one run.  Third baseman Casey Schieda (jr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) chipped in with a RBI.  
 
For the Profs, third baseman Cassandra Gerard (jr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) was three-for-four with a double and one run.  Shortstop Carly Anderson (jr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) contributed with two hits, a double and one run.  Right fielder Morgan Smith (sr. Millsboro, DE/Sussex Central) and second baseman Sonia Sharma (fr. Mahwah, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) had one RBI apiece.

Stockton got on the scoreboard first when Thomas scored on Schieda's ground out in the fourth inning.  Rowan tied it in the bottom half.  Gerard came home on a single up the middle by Sharma. The Profs went ahead 2-1 in the fifth. Anderson led off with a double and advanced to third on an out.  Smith grounded out to the second baseman, scoring Anderson.

This is Rowan's 29th appearance in the NJAC Championship Tournament and 15th straight.  The Profs have captured the conference title eight times (2014, 2012, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1983).  
 
The NJAC Softball Championship Tournament schedule is below. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at rowanathletics.com and njacsports.com.

Tue., May 1 (at higher seed)
Game 1:  #1 The College of New Jersey 6, #6 William Paterson University 1
Game 2:  #5 Stockton University 4, #2 Rowan University 2
Game 3:  #3 Ramapo College 5, #4 Kean University 4 (at Kean)
 
Fri., May 4 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 4:  William Paterson University (23-14) vs. Rowan University (28-10-1), 2 p.m.
Game 5:  The College of New Jersey (29-6) vs. Kean University (26-11), 4 p.m.
Game 6:  Stockton University (24-15) vs. Ramapo College (24-11), 6 p.m.
 
IF FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:
 
Sat., May 5 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 7:  winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 11 a.m.
Game 8:  winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, 1 p.m.
Game 9:  loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 3 p.m.
 
Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 10:  winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11:  same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
 
IF FIVE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:
 
Sat., May 5 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 7:  loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 11 a.m.
Game 8:  winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, 1 p.m.
Game 9:  winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 3 p.m.
 
IF TWO TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:
 
Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 10:  winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11:  same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
 
IF THREE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:
 
Sun., May 8 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 10:  winner game 8 vs. loser game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11:  winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 1 p.m.